Former Sports Commissioner Tholal and ex-Villa Air GM Habeeb join President’s Office at ministerial level

Former Sports Commissioner Mohamed Tholal and former Villa Air General Manager Ahmed Habeeb have been appointed to two ministerial-rank positions at the President’s Office. The appointments were made on Monday by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Tholal has been appointed as the Principal Secretary to the President for Tertiary Health Services, while Habeeb has been appointed Principal Secretary to the President on Policy and Manifesto.

Tholal, who was appointed Sports Commissioner on November 21, 2023, has not publicly stated when he resigned from the post. However, the President’s Office confirmed it was his most recent position. Tholal has previously served as Senior Curriculum Developer at the Education Development Centre, Assistant Director General and Director General at the Elections Commission, Technical Advisor to the Minister at the former Ministry of Human Resources, Youth and Sports, and Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Home Affairs. He has made significant contributions to the development of sports in Maldives.

Habeeb, who has now joined the President’s Office, previously served as the General Manager of Villa Air. He also served as State Minister of Housing during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. In addition, he has held positions including Manager at Villa Hakatha and Deputy Manager of Villa Air’s Kaadehdhoo Airport. Habeeb holds a Master of Science in Project Management from Curtin University, Australia.

Notably, the position of Principal Secretary to the President on Policy and Manifesto was previously held by former Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim. He resigned on Monday, though the reason for his resignation has not been disclosed. Nazim earlier resigned as Health Minister on April 14 as part of the president’s cabinet reshuffle following the government’s defeat in the local council elections and referendum vote.